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Title | Goof Troop |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom | |
| Publisher | Capcom | |
| Genre | Action-Adventure | |
| Platforms | Super Nintendo | |
| Release Dates | July 1993 | |
| Age Rating | E |
In 1992, the Disney animated comedy Goof Troop premiered on the Disney Channel. Following the adventures of Goofy, his son, Max, and their neighbors Pete and PJ, the show often focused on domestic and school-related situations with which the show’s young viewers could identify. The comedy of these situations came about when the incomparable Goofy would get involved with his trademark clumsiness and general goofiness. The show spawned several other media, including comics, two movies and, of course, a video game.
Goof Troop for the Super Nintendo is a game that I have played many times over the years. It’s one of those games that you find yourself dusting off from time to time when you don’t have anything in particular that you want to play. It’s a simple game with easy-to-understand mechanics, though it can still end up challenging even veteran gamers later on with its steady learning curve.
The game follows Goofy and Max as they try to rescue Pete and PJ from pirates, the former of whom has been mistaken for the infamous pirate king, Keelhaul Pete. To accomplish this, Goofy and Max must fight through waves of pirates and local wildlife using nothing but barrels, coconuts and any other throwable objects on hand. Goofy and Max also have a variety of tools at their disposal to help them defeat enemies and solve puzzles.
The first thing players may notice about Goof Troop is that, from a gameplay perspective, the game is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda franchise. A Link to the Past, having been released in the US only a year prior, may have had some influence on Goof Troop’s top-down interface and puzzle-solving mechanics, but this is just wild speculation on my part. Goof Troop features two main methods of advancement- defeating all enemies in a room, and sliding block puzzles, both elements also prevalent in the Zelda franchise. Clearing a room of enemies is generally straightforward, though later levels really challenge players with limited throwable objects, or forcing them to use sliding blocks to finish the job. Most rooms, especially later in the game, task players with kicking blocks into designated spots to open a locked door. This, as I see it, is the meat and potatoes of the game.
It may sound like I’m accusing Goof Troop of ripping off the Zelda games, but, in truth, there’s plenty that sets the game apart. Goof Troop can be played single player or cooperatively, as either Goofy or Max. While either character basically serves the same purpose, there are a few key differences. Goofy is the slower of the two, but makes up for it in attack power, being able to defeat any basic enemy in a single hit. Max, on the other hand, is much faster than his father, but must hit some enemies twice before they’re knocked out. He also suffers a speed penalty while carrying objects over his head.
Goofy and Max will find a variety of tools to aid them as they explore the island, as well. The first, and probably most useful, tool that players will come across is the Grappling Hook, which can be used to grab objects, cross gaps, temporarily stun enemies, and even push them into water or down holes. It also defeats smaller enemies outright. The Bell is used to lure enemies around the map, leading them into more advantageous positions. Other items include a candle, a shovel, a wooden plank and different kinds of keys, all of which are pretty self-explanatory. Players can only carry two items at a time, requiring a bit of forethought when players will have to start deciding what they may need later and what to leave behind. Co-op mode further complicates things, only allowing each player to carry one item, making proper planning and cooperation the key to success.
While Goof Troop’s levels and enemies are interesting and challenging in their own right, the bosses of each level really highlight the action. The theme of each fight varies from tutorials to real tests of skill. In keeping with teaching players the basics of the game, the first level’s boss, The Jester Hole, is a great way for players to learn about the catching mechanic. Each boss also goes well with the tone of their corresponding stages, as well. From the game’s whack-a-mole-like battle in the first level to a pair of bone-tossing skeletons to Keelhaul Pete himself, players will find themselves entertained during each fight.
Each of Goof Troop’s levels is fairly straightforward, taking about 10-20 minutes to complete. This may seem a bit on the short side, but it really comes down to how quickly players can solve the puzzles in each level, which get to be real head-scratchers in the later stages. Things can get especially exasperating when the game starts including pirates who can kick around blocks themselves, eliciting some less than Disney-friendly responses when they mess up your efforts. Fortunately, players need only exit and re-enter a given screen to reset a puzzle.
While few, I do have some gripes about the game. There is no doubt in my mind that Goof Troop is a fun and challenging game, but I feel that it doesn’t adequately capture the slapstick for which Goofy is known. When Goofy or Max are defeated, they fly off the screen in a silly fashion, or, when hit by a fire attack, they’re briefly singed. While possibly worthy of a little smirk, there’s nothing particularly comical in the game. Additionally, each stage features individual 20 to 30-second music tracks which loop throughout each level. These tunes vary from catchy to annoying from level to level. While it isn’t usually a problem, the music of a couple offending stages can make traveling through them less than pleasant.
All-in-all, Goof Troop is a solid experience. It borrows elements from the Zelda franchise, but sets itself apart with interesting combat, a great co-op feature and some devious puzzles. While some might be put off by the short time in which the game can be finished, it is a memorable experience that many gamers will likely find themselves coming back to time and time again. Even years later, I know I do.
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| Overall |   |
Well, there you have it. Granted, there are many, many Disney titles of varying quality. I chose three of the best here, and I hope that DuckTales Remastered, making its debut on August 13, will join the pantheon of great Disney games, rather than the likes of something like… Mickey Mouscepade… Fortunately, DuckTales seems to have a lot going for it. With updated graphics of the NES original, the voice acting talent from the cartoon and an expanded story, DuckTales Remastered promises to be another great title from Capcom and WayForward.
